News Release
No. 101/04
June 16, 2004
DECISION ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED OILSEED RAPE TO BE REFERRED
TO EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
Following today's vote in the
Regulatory Committee on the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, the decision
to authorize the import and processing of the genetically modified oilseed rape
known as GT73 will pass on to the
Council of Ministers. The
Committee, which is set up under Directive 2001/18 and representing the
Member States, did not reach the
qualified majority necessary to support the Commission proposal to authorize
the oilseed rape. The Commission will now, in the coming weeks, formally adopt
the proposal to be sent to the Council of Ministers. The Council can either adopt
or reject the proposal with a qualified majority. If no decision is taken after
three months, the file returns to the Commission which can then adopt it. If authorized,
the oilseed rape, which has been modified for increased tolerance to the herbicide
glyphosate, would be clearly labeled as containing GM oilseed rape, in accordance
with the new legislation
in force since 18 April 2004.
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Press Contacts:
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Anthony Gooch
202-862-9523
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Maeve O'Beirne
202-862-9549
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